As I run through the silent halls, I receive odd or knowing looks from passing servants and maids. I ignore the whispers and keep running to my freedom, Aris urging me to hurry up. The need to shift has intensified, what was once a low burn is now a fire raging in my soul.

'Come on Reece,' Aris whines, 'Faster!'

Dude, seriously? I exclaim internally, I'm going as fast as I can, I'm not as fast as you in human form.

'You got that right,' she snickers at me.

I say nothing, though I do pull a mental tongue at her. Not physically, I don't want to look like a weirdo pulling a tongue at invisible people. I would be labled the Psycho Princess. You have to admit though, it has a nice ring to it.

I pass through the bustling kitchen, chefs and servants run left and right, trying to prepare dinner for the royal family. They shriek and curse as I nearly topple a few people over. I giggle mischievously at them.

Whoops.

Finally, I burst into the open air through the kitchen side door, my usual escape from the castle. I run down the steps and leap just as I reach the bottom. Midair I shift, allowing my tiger side to come forth and take over.

Bones crack and realign, shattering and reforming my skeleton into one of a tiger's. Black and white fur sprouts along my body, soft and silky to the touch. Claws and fangs take place if my blunt human nails and teeth.

When I jumped, I was human, now when I touch down on the grass, I land as a tiger. In a quick effortless shift, I become an regal tiger. Graceful and fluid like water.

I became Aris.

My ears twitch and swivel atop my head, listening to all the sounds surrounding me. My long striped tail flicks back and firth behind me. My paws twitch with sensitivity as the slightest vibrations are picked up. New smells invade my nostrils, scents of all my surroundings. My gem like eyes take in all the vibrant colours, roaming around to take everything at once.

It feels amazing.

'It does indeed... ' Aris sighs dreamily, 'Can I have control, I want to experience it properly.'

Sure, I relent eagerly, take your time Aris.

'Thank you,' is all she says before breaching the barrier between our consciousness'.

After what feels like a bubble popping in my mind, I feel Aris surge into my mind, pushing me to the side. I allow her to take control, while I watch from what feels like the passenger seat of a car. It feels good to relinquish control for a bit, it allows me time to myself. Completely.

I can sense Aris switch us into hunt mood, her wildest instincts runny rampant. She brings us forward and into the surrounding forest and away from the suffocating castle walls. I feel the distant feeling of her paws pushing us forward through the trees, surging faster and faster as she hunts.

Her senses hone in on the thousands of little animals that live in the forest around us, I can even sense a few larger animals. Probably other tigers out for a run or quick hunt. Most tigers hunt alone and live alone, but some seek numbers, so they live at the castle. Unlike Werewolves, we don't live in packs, we're too independent. Though, of course, all shifter's and supernatural creatures have their appointed leaders. Tigers have a King or Queen in each continent or both. Other than that, most tigers roam alone.

Aris is bigger than most tigers due to our royal bloodline and Weretigers are bigger than normal tigers, so I'm a pretty impressive size. It also means I'm faster, stronger and more agile than any average shifter, no matter the species.

We run through the trees, our tail whipping behind us as we bound through the forest. Winter is approaching fast, the leaves dropping and turning vibrant colors, setting the forest alight in colors of the sunset.

I can't wait till winter, for the snow that follows. My coat will blend in seamlessly and keep me warm and cozy against the colder temperatures. I'll be completely in my element.

The alluring scent of deer catches Aris's attention, immediately setting us off towards the frolicking animals. Slowing down gradually, we creep up behind bushes, bordering in a small clearing.

I watch attentively, Aris's keen eyes tracking a pair of deer in the long grass. A mother and her young, barely standing yet. A new born by the looks of it. A little early for it to be born though, the mother's usually only give birth towards the end of winter.

Aris is riled up for a hunt, craving the blood of her kill, but I won't let her kill the baby. It's too innocent to die just yet. Aris crouches low to the ground on her haunches, down wind from the grazing mother and her baby.

In one fluid motion Aris leaps from the cover of thrones bushes, causing the doe's head to snap up at the disruption. The does tries to run, but notices us too late and is tackled by Aris's great weight.

With a startled cry and flailing limbs, the doe tries to escape our clutches, but Aris will never give up her prey. The fawn is confused and immobile in the long grass.

Aris clamps down on the doe's wind pipe, effectively cutting of its air supply. Her claws steady the doe's struggling body, using her weight to her advantage.

A noise in the bushes distracts me from the dead does, Aris lifting her massive head to check out the source. In one swift movement I shift back. Quick and painless from years of practice. Unlike most shifters, because I am royalty when I shifted and my clothes ripped, I don't shift back naked. A beautiful dress takes it's place, covering my nudity.

A long white, wispy dress flows to my bare feet, bell sleeves billowing out until they cuff at my wrists. A tight bodice with a lacy design, cinching at the waist. It's beautiful.

The dress feels like velvet around my legs as I walk towards the frozen fawn, leaving the dead mother behind me. I'll be back for that later, can't let it go to waste. The fawn twitches, watching me warily, but it doesn't have enough control over it's limbs to flee.

"It is alright little one," I coo, scooping the shivering body of the fawn into my slim arms, "I won't hurt you."

The fawn tentatively sniffs at me, still quaking in my arms. I giggle at it and hear a bush rustle again. I snap my head up, my eyes scanning the small clearing for signs if a threat, clutching the small fawn to my chest protectively. I inhale deeply, the scent of cinnamon and apple reaching my nose. It has my tiger freezing in my head, but it is not familiar to me.

"Step out now!" I growl out, using there power in my voice to leave no room for doubt at my power, "I know someone is there!"

There's another rustle and then a pause before a large white wolf steps out from the bushes. It's coat pure like new snow, it's golden eyes watching my with an unknown emotion. I can't help but release a gasp at its beauty, realizing the scent is coming from the large wolf.

My tiger is growling to be set free, purring something over and over again as I watch the wolf in awe. When the wolf takes a step forward, my trance breaks and I can hear what Aris is purring about and it shook me to the core.

'Mate!'

~•~•~

Aris up top. Hope you like the dress. The girl kinda looks like Maurice as well. Win win.

Another update in one night, just because you guys are awesome. Loving the awesome comments and feedback. Keep it coming. Don't forget to:

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LilMissImperfection xoxo

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